‘I’ve always been very anxious. I used to run from who I was’ - Lulu is our May cover star

Written By Victoria Chandler | 2 April 2016

Britain's original rock chick shares her thoughts on the music scene today, her memories of Jagger and Hendrix, and why she was so devastated by the death of David Bowie.

On being a woman of 67 in the music industry…

‘I suppose I’m a rare breed, I have been around the block. The music industry is all about young people, if you’ve got a deal for even one album, you’re lucky.’

On making a record with David Bowie…
‘I thought he was so cool and I wasn’t so cool. But when he met me, he said: “You have a f***-off voice and I’m going to make a hit record with you.” Truth be known I really wasn’t a cool rock chick but they were all very kind and sweet. And bottom line, no matter how awkward I felt, how ugly duckling, I knew I could sing.’

On having no regrets…
‘I have had two marriages. I feel my personal life maybe has been sacrificed, but there are no regrets. There are things I wouldn’t have done knowing what I do today, but it had to happen because you have to go through pain to make you humble.’

On her Ab Fab co-stars…
‘Jennifer Saunders is a scream. I just hope [the forthcoming film] is the biggest runaway success for her. She is amazing and has come through so much. I’ve known Joanna Lumley through all her reincarnations. She has got better each time. We have the same philosophy – never stop working!’
On living with anxiety…
‘I’ve always been very anxious. I used to run away from who I was. I didn’t believe I was special and always thought other people’s lives must be perfect. But I’ve done a lot of soul-searching, I have had a guru since 1984 and I have a very strong spiritual path. I don’t run ahead of myself or sit looking at the past regretting anything – that’s a waste of time.’

Read the full Lulu interview in the May 2016 issue of Good Housekeeping, on sale from Saturday 2 April. Also available as a digital edition.